There is nothing like the real thing.

Have you ever noticed that some who often speak about authenticity are often the least authentic? It seems that authenticity is a buzzword in many spiritual circles. Yet, how often do we actually encounter authentic people? Usually when we do encounter an authentic person we are either completely attracted to them or completely repulsed by them. Like a mirror, an authentic person reflects back something in us. Gerald Jamposky said, "Everything we see is but a mirror of what we are." If we are attempting to live from a place of authenticity we are drawn to the person. If we are being less that authentic, often an authentic person makes us uncomfortable. Legendary 6th Century Greek fabulist Aesop said, "Men often applaud an imitation and hiss the real thing."

Today I heard a woman speak about the need for authenticity and how it allows for others to feel safe to be authentic. Many were very moved by her words and thoughts. The problem was; however, when anyone else spoke she often rolled her eyes. She was being authentic—authentically hypocritical. For some reason, those most impressed by her failed to make the connection, so I made it for them. Due to her great desire to be authentic I was authentic enough to yank her covers and call her on her crap. It is amazing how "authentic" the group became afterwards.

The word authentic stems from authentikos meaning "original, genuine, principal," and from authentes meaning"one acting on one's own authority," from autos "self" + hentes "doer, being. The idea of being oneself and acting from a place of one’s core is about being real and I can’t be real if I don’t make space for others to be real. And as Bono said, "There's nothing like the real thing", baby.